Benjamin J. Malcolm, 81, whose career in New York City, New York State and US
correctional services spanned a half century, died May 25.  Below appears
brief biographical information. More about Benjamin J. Malcolm's role in New
York correction history as well as photos taken during his career can be
accessed from the home page of the New York Correction History Society:
http://www.correctionhistory.org
NYCHS

A native of Philadelphia, a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, and a
World War II veteran, he started as a New York City Parole Commission officer
and advanced through the ranks during the ten years that followed. When the
NYC parole panel was phased out in the mid-1960s, its officers entered state
parole service. 

In 1970, Benjamin Malcolm received his master's degree in public
administration from New York University. On Dec. 14 that same year, Mayor
Lindsay appointed him Deputy Commissioner to Correction Commissioner George
McGrath. On Jan. 24, 1972, the Mayor named Malcolm as Commissioner. He thus
became the first African-American to head the municipal jail agency. He
served until Nov. 19, 1977, when he stepped down to accept appointment by
President Jimmy Carter to the US Parole Commission.

In 1984, when Malcolm's term as a US Parole Commissioner expired, New York
Governor Mario Cuomo offered him chairmanship of the State Parole Board but
he declined, deciding instead to launch a private research company, Parole
Services of America, to provide inmates seeking parole with relevant
comparative parole data.

Commissioner Malcolm leaves his wife, two daughters and two granddaughters,
three sisters, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Funeral services
were held 7 p.m., Thursday, May 31, at the St. Albans, Presbyterian Church,
190-04 119th Ave., Queens. Burial took place Saturday, June 2, in Rock Creek
Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Thomas C. McCarthy
general secretary,
New York Correction History Society
http://www.correctionhistory.org
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director of historical services
Correction Academy
New York City Department of Correction
66-26 Metropolitan Ave.,
Middle Village, NY 11379
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(718) 417-2315
(718) 4717-2326 fax